FIA confirms 15,000rpm rev limit

F1 governing body FIA has confirmed that a 15,000rpm rev limit will be compulsory on F1 engines from 2014 onwards. Teams will toggle from the existing 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated V8s to V6 1.6-litre turbos in 2014. But, there had been concerns that the originally-planned rev limit of 12,000 rpm would detract from the spectacle.

Authentication of the boost to 15,000, which formed part of the 2014 F1 Technical Regulations released by the FIA yesterday, will go some way toward allaying those fears.
Other changes include the requirement for drivers to be able to start the cars themselves, rather than relying on external starters.

Regulation 5.18 states: “It must be possible for the driver to start the engine at any time when seated normally at the wheel and without any external assistance.”

The new rules also place an increasing importance upon alternative energy systems, including a requirement for cars to be operative entirely under electrical power when in pitlane.

According to rule 5.19: “The car must be run in electric mode (no ignition and no fuel supply to the engine) at all times when being driven in the pit lane.”

Other areas to be affected by the change include the transmission, with a mandatory eight-speed gearbox to be introduced.